as in to exaggerate
to treat (something) with more importance than is needed or proper
The teacher tends to overemphasize the value of tests. The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized.
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Recent Examples of overemphasize
Worse yet, overemphasizing happiness can create a performative culture where employees feel pressured to fake positive emotions.
—
Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Erik Spoelstra, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo recognized Butler’s impact but didn’t want to overemphasize the meaning of Tuesday.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
In overemphasizing antics to justify its existence, Another Simple Favor nearly forgets the connection between the two women that started it all.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
The new council majority has argued that the prior group overemphasized bike transportation, as opposed to vehicles, and note that vehicles are the way that most people get around town.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Erik Spoelstra, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo recognized Butler’s impact but didn’t want to overemphasize the meaning of Tuesday.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
In overemphasizing antics to justify its existence, Another Simple Favor nearly forgets the connection between the two women that started it all.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
The new council majority has argued that the prior group overemphasized bike transportation, as opposed to vehicles, and note that vehicles are the way that most people get around town.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overemphasize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overemphasize
Verb
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Another hurdle is getting buy-in from red states, where many politicians have espoused the view that hate crimes and domestic terrorism concerns are exaggerated by liberals to police conservative thought.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
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Trump has long been known for his tendency to exaggerate crowd sizes at his rallies and public events, a pattern that dates back to his very first days in office.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Despite the optics, Kang has emphasized to fans and players that the Spirit was her first investment in sports, which carries weight.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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The author emphasizes Milk’s service as a Korean War veteran and his legacy as a civil rights pioneer who faced discrimination both in the military and as an openly gay elected official[1][4].—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Throughout the week, Sky players tried not to overstate the importance of the game — after all, their primary focus Saturday was erasing the memory of a season-opening blowout to the Fever in Indianapolis.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
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The scope of the changes — some have already begun — is difficult to overstate.—
Eddie Pells,
Baltimore Sun,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Strive to indulge once in a while without overdoing it.—
Leigh Morgan,
Quartz,
2 June 2025
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McDonough added extra springs and air bags to handle the camper weight and a winch up front, but otherwise has stayed away from overdoing the build.—
Jakob Schiller,
Outside Online,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overemphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overemphasize. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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